A source told Mid Day: "Deepika is currently neck-deep with work. She is shooting for Happy New Year and Ram Leela. For Fast & Furious 7, Dippy was required to give dates from September to January next year.

"The actress was finalised for the project while she was in Dubai. Unfortunately, the announcement came even before she could return to Mumbai and sign the film."

It is claimed that Padukone has subsequently pulled out of the franchise movie.